Tips For Vietnam Travel
1. Admission Fees
Museums, historical sites, national parks, and other tourist destinations—sometimes even beaches—generally charge admission. Charges at several popular tourist destinations run from $1 to $4. However, in other places, it's usually just a few thousand dong. Remember that popular attractions frequently charge a substantial extra fee for cameras and recordings.
Pagodas and temples are typically free, with the exception of those with considerable historical value, though it is traditional to make a donation of a few thousand dong in the collecting box or on one of the altar plates.
2. Entry conditions
With a few exceptions, most foreign nationals require a visa to enter Vietnam. Nordic and Asian citizens are exempt from the requirement for a visa for stays of 15 to 30 days, and as of 2016, the UK, France, and some other European passport holders are also permitted entry without a visa for stays of up to 15 days. However, this privilege is only valid for a limited period of time, so be sure to check with your local consulate before your trip.
Although lengthier periods can be obtained, tourist visas are typically valid for a single entry and thirty days from your stated arrival date.
Most travellers apply for visas at the embassy directly or through a professional visa agent or tour operator in their own country. Although many embassies also offer a more expensive "express" service, processing typically takes around a week. Visitors can submit their applications at any Vietnamese embassy or consulate, as well as through visa or travel specialists, however nowadays, most individuals find it more easy to obtain a "visa on arrival" online (the most reliable website is Vietnam Visa Center). The processing time for applications submitted in person at an embassy or consulate is typically one week, while many embassies additionally provide a more expensive "express" service. While some firms even quote rates for just two working hours, the typical processing time for an online visa is just three working days.
You must submit an application form, one or two passport-sized photos (procedures vary), and the required cost in order to apply for a tourist visa. The visa clearly states the beginning and ending dates of the validity period during which you can enter and exit the country. The visa is valid for admission through any of Vietnam's international land borders as well as the airports in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang.
3. Principles and traditions
Vietnamese culture, which combines Confucianism and Buddhism, has a tendency to be both conservative and moderately tolerant. This implies that even if your hosts do not like how you are acting or dressing, they won't often chastise you for it. You can reduce your chance of offending someone by adhering to a few fundamental rules. This is crucial in rural and small towns where locals are less accustomed to the unique customs of visitors.
It is advised that you take extra measures as a tourist. For the beach, shorts and sleeveless shirts are acceptable, but they are not allowed in pagodas, temples, or other places of worship. It's advantageous to appear as organized as possible while interacting with authority figures. Anything else could be interpreted as a hostile attitude. Particularly in rural and ethnic minority areas, where exposing too much skin is viewed as disrespectful, women should wear modestly. It's also important to note that male or female nudity on the beach is illegal.
It is customary to take off your shoes while entering a Cao Dai temple, the main structure of a pagoda, or a private residence. Ask or observe what other people do at some modern pagodas where this may only be necessary when stepping upon the prayer mats. You are also obliged to offer a little donation at a pagoda or temple.
It's not appropriate to get upset, as it is in the majority of Asian nations, and it won't make things go any faster either. Men-only passing of cigarettes is always appreciated and is frequently used as a social ploy to advance difficult discussions, bargaining, and other situations.
Other social customs worth mentioning include the prohibition against touching youngsters on the head and the belief that it is preferable to ignore a small child rather than praise it because doing so draws jealous spirits who would harm the child.
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